Dortmund 2-0 Real Madrid: The International Reaction

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Disappointment and pride came in equal measure as Borussia Dortmund crashed out of Europe despite a 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Tuesday evening Kevin Großkreutz (front) and Co. got off to the best of starts taking a 2-0 lead in at half time... ...but it wasn't enough to overturn their 3-0 first leg defeat, not that it stopped their fans making their support heard long after the final whistle

Dortmund - It was a case of what might have been for Borussia Dortmund as they produced one of their most electrifying performances of the current campaign only to fall just short of reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

A 2-0 win over Real Madrid CF got tongues wagging for all the right reasons on Tuesday night, quashing thoughts of BVB's supposed stagnation this season, yet it wasn't enough to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit.

Marco Reus may have stolen the headlines by scoring twice before half-time, but surprise inclusions in the starting line-up Manuel Friedrich, Oliver Kirch and Milos Jojic should take as much, if not more credit for the role they played in what was an exceptional team performance. bundesliga.com rounds up what the international press made of the midweek miracle which almost came to fruition...

Germany

Kicker:

Reus’ double gives Real scare'

There was a miracle in the air, Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park was like a madhouse, but in the end it wasn’t enough. In their UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund produced a strong performance. However, their thoroughly deserved 2-0 win on the night wasn’t enough to overturn their 3-0 first-leg defeat as they narrowly missed out on clinching another fairytale ending to a European knockout tie.

Sportbild:

An awesome evening with a sad ending

For several minutes after the final whistle the Dortmund fans celebrated their team. “The atmosphere was incredible, it was something out of this world,” said head coach Jürgen Klopp after 90 minutes against Real Madrid that were filled to the brim with excitement. It may not have been enough for another footballing miracle, but in clinching an exceptional 2-0 win, the Bundesliga side went out with a bang.

Spain

AS.com:

Into the semi-finals after a huge scare

This is Casillas. You don't win anything by sleeping, and you cannot win anything without respect. Iker saves Madrid yet again against Dortmund's German monsters. In the end, Madrid reach their fourth consecutive semi-finals, learning one important lesson: it's better losing your memory than your wallet. There are no Madridistas who doubt Casillas, or maybe there is somewhere on a remote desert island. He lacked the support of his club, but Iker resisted. And now he has his revenge.

Marca:

A scare that almost ends in tragedy

It was agonising. Real Madrid reach the semi-finals of the Champions League with shivers running down their spines. At the Signal Iduna Park, they went close to another tragedy. Borussia Dortmund responded like Madrid did last year at the Bernabeu, and they were just one step away from a comeback which seemed impossible.

England

Reuters UK:

Dortmund come out on top despite European exit

Borussia Dortmund may have missed out on a Champions League semi-finals berth following an agonising 3-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid but the German club can regard themselves as winners on many levels.Their fighting spirit and attacking prowess were again on full display as they embarrassed the Spaniards with a dazzling performance to win 2-0 at home on Tuesday, but they were unable to balance out the deficit of their first leg loss in Madrid. For coach Jürgen Klopp, however, to see his makeshift team of youngsters and veterans dominate the nine-time European champion's expensively assembled squad with such verve and passion was a pure joy.

BBC Sport:

Real survive Dortmund scare

Real Madrid held off a determined fightback by Borussia Dortmund to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Spanish side were overwhelming favourites to progress before kick-off, but they were second best throughout to a superb Dortmund side at Signal Iduna Park.

Guardian:

Borussia Dortmund give Real Madrid a Champions League scare but fall short

Real Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund despite slumping to a 2-0 defeat to advance to the Champions League semi-finals and stay on track for a tenth European Cup final victory. Two first-half goals by Marco Reus, both coming from Real mistakes, gave Dortmund a deserved lead as Carlo Ancelotti's side, who had a penalty saved in the 17th minute, were left mesmerised by the German club's frantic pace.

Italy

Gazetta dello Sport:

Borussia so close to a comeback, Real scrape through

White with shock, Madrid reach their fourth consecutive semi-final. After a 3-0 win at the Bernabeu, it seemed like it was going to be a peaceful, easy second leg with Borussia Dortmund, but instead, Ancelotti's men experienced one long nightmare. Real were destroyed by Reus (two goals, and plenty more), losing 2-0 and being saved by the post and Iker Casillas. Borussia, finalists last year, left the field to ovations from the crowd.

France

L'Equipe:

Real tremble but go through

There are evenings on which the Champions League makes even the most improbable scenarios seem likely. That was the case on Tuesday when, one week after a procession in front of their own fans (3-0), Real Madrid were on the brink of elimination from the quarter-finals of the Champions League, losing the return leg in Dortmund (0-2). If it had not been for Casillas in goal, and his saves from Mkhitaryan (65'), these two sides would undoubtedly have been separated only after extra-time.

Ireland

Irish Independent

Dortmund fight back to give Madrid huge fright

Real Madrid survived a huge scare to progress through to the Champions League semi-finals as Borussia Dortmund fell just short of a stunning second-leg fightback. Dortmund had it all to do after losing the first leg 3-0 in Spain but last season's runners-up looked on course to stage a remarkable comeback when, after seeing Madrid winger Angel Di Maria miss an early penalty, they scored twice through Marco Reus during a first-half onslaught. The German side continued to throw everything at Madrid in the second half, hitting the woodwork and going close on a number of other occasions, but they could not find the third goal they needed.

South Africa

Supersport:

Dortmund defeat's a real wake-up call

Captain Iker Casillas said Real Madrid were given a Champions League wake-up call as they lost 2-0 to last season's beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund in their quarter-final second leg match but still went through to the last four 3-2 on aggregate on Tuesday.